Scotland in best position for years to beat England and halt bid for world record winning run

The Calcutta Cup is up for grabs at Twickenham but there are far more significant prizes on offer for England and Scotland tomorrow.

An England win would equal New Zealand’s 18-match record unbeaten run and they could be reaching for the RBS Six Nations title again if Ireland lose to Wales tonight, although bonus points could delay the ceremony until the final weekend.

For Scotland, victory would end 34 years of hurt at the home of English rugby and confirm their evolution into a European rugby power rather than an occasional problem for opponents.

Under Eddie Jones, England have set the standard for the rest of the Northern Hemisphere during their rise to No2 in the world. However, a thoroughly frustrating win over Italy almost two weeks ago has added to their desire to prove they are a genuine match for the All Blacks, the side at the top of the rankings. Captain Dylan Hartley is taking comfort from the fact that “we are winning when not playing at our best”.

That, though, will not be enough to ensure victory against a Scotland starting XV featuring 10 players from Glasgow Warriors, a side coached by Gregor Townsend, who takes over the national team at the end of this championship. Scotland’s desire to ward off other suitors has meant jettisoning Vern Cotter, despite the obvious improvements he has made over three years.

Every one of England’s weapons will be needed against the visitors, who have rediscovered the art of try-scoring, despite injuries to captain Greig Laidlaw and No8 Josh Strauss. Both men were ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations campaign after being hurt in the bruising win over France a month ago.

Fly-half Finn Russell can be a match-winner for Scotland with his passing and running skills, which is why George Ford must deliver one of his most commanding performances in the England No10 jersey.

The hosts will be aided by a big starting pack, supplemented by the most dynamic replacements’ bench ever assembled. However, with an electric back three in full-back Stuart Hogg, who has elevated his Lions credentials this campaign, plus wings Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser, Scotland are capable of not only scoring from set plays but countering with venom.

That is why Ben Youngs is recalled at scrum-half for England to bring a more reliable kicking game, with wings Jack Nowell and Elliot Daly tasked with contesting the catch. Hogg is brilliant in attack but can be exposed defensively if pressure is exerted under those high balls.

England are determined to use their power to clear out the Scottish “scavengers” at the breakdown and then exploit space out wide, with Jonathan Joseph needing to remind everyone that he is one of the outstanding attacking centres in the game. With doubts over Owen Farrell, the hard running Ben Te’o is poised to take over at inside centre.

While Cotter is more than aware of the influence Townsend’s Warriors have had on his team, the New Zealander has put together a game plan that enables his players to play with a freedom unseen for too long for Scotland’s long-suffering fans.

Cotter is a stern-faced Kiwi — in total contrast to Jones, although the England head coach’s smile hides a personality more in tune with his Scottish opposite number than many realise.

Both served much of their coaching apprenticeships away from their homelands and come into this match with the realism that experience brings. It is one reason why Jones tapered his media exposure this week because he knows Cotter is too long in the tooth to be affected by mind games.

This mutual respect has ensured the build-up has reflected the genuine belief that Scotland are better equipped to face England than at any time since their last win at Twickenham in 1983.

Cotter said: “Our challenge is to combine the best parts of our Six Nations into one excellent performance. We’ll enjoy the challenge of doing that against a team that hasn’t lost in a while.”

Despite Scotland’s confidence, England have too many big-ball carriers to be denied a share of that record.